Wednesday, Aug. 20, 1997 | 9:30 a.m.
MESQUITE -- It was miserable in UNLV's defensive trenches last year. With linemen toiling away like ditch diggers on a sand dune, the Rebels never seemed to get anywhere while their opponents poured through them.
To win in 1997, the Rebels must turn around a unit that allowed an average of 269 rushing yards a game last year, ranking 109th of 111 Division I-A schools and last in the 16-team Western Athletic Conference. The team also allowed a WAC-high 41 rushing touchdowns.
Head coach Jeff Horton took a step in improving those numbers by firing defensive coordinator Stan Eggen and defensive line coach James Spurlock -- two of four assistants given the ax before last year's finale at San Jose State.
New defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill and defensive line coach Sam Papalii now are the ones in charge of stopping the sands from sifting.
"Our defensive line should be a strong point of our team," said McNeill, who handled Appalachian State's defense from 1993-96. "There's a lot of experience there, a lot of talent there."
McNeill is implementing a 4-3 blitzing style of play known as the press defense, designed to put the opposing quarterback under the gun and force him into mistakes. The defensive line's ability to control the run and penetrate on passes is where the scheme begins.
The top sieve clogger on the four-man front is Talance Sawyer. The junior right end is a confident mountain of a man who not only predicts improved team play, but also a monumental personal campaign.
"I got high expectations of myself," said Sawyer, who converted from tight end two seasons ago. "I plan to lead the team in sacks. I want about 23, but to keep things in perspective, I'll expect about 15."
Further putting Sawyer's goal in perspective, the Rebels recorded 16 sacks as a team last season with linebacker Scott Patton responsible for seven. The team record of 20.5 was set by linebacker Mark Byers in 1994.
"Talance Sawyer has the chance to be a very special player," McNeill said. "He works really hard in practice. He has the mental approach we require of the defense.
"He puts a lot of pressure on the quarterback. He should be explosive on the run as well. Talance can be a special player, run or pass. He will be a stalwart of our defense."
At left end is Roderick Jones, a 6-2, 235-pounder. Jones started 10 times and played in all 12 of the Rebels' games last year as a redshirt freshman. He recorded 30 tackles, including three for losses.
Key backups at the end positions include junior Ted Darnell (6-5, 270) sophomores Leroy Gambrell (6-5, 230) and Jean-Hans Stallsmith (6-5, 250).
At right tackle is former nose tackle Derrick Monroe. The 6-2, 285-pound junior started six games last year and played in all 12, finishing fifth on the squad with 51 tackles. He also added a sack.
"We're counting on him to be a steady player inside and to give us the push we need in those inside gaps," McNeill said.
The left tackle is Charles Fisher, one of only three seniors projected to start (linebackers Patton and Lamont Hicks are the others). Fisher, however, is prone to injuries and struggled throughout 1996, managing just 19 tackles without a start. He also experiences back problems and had surgery to correct a herniated disc after his sophomore year.
But if there is any slack at tackle, junior transfer Robin Maile will be quick to pick it up. Maile, a 6-1, 290-pounder, is a two-time All-American from San Bernardino (Calif.) Junior College.
"We expect him to be an impact player," McNeill said. "He should do very well. He's an experienced player. He's going to be a power rusher. We feel he has great quickness.
"We didn't bring him in here to be a backup. He understands what his role will be, and that's to come in here and help us right now."
Other top tackles include juco transfer Troy Kirkpatrick (6-5, 265) and redshirt freshman Justin Conway (6-1, 270). Senior Mac Smith, who started nine games last year but was projected as the backup right tackle in UNLV's media guide, was moved to the offensive line.
"We're looking past last year," Sawyer said. "It's a whole new year. We're better. There's nothing you can do to replace what happened, but you can set high expectations."
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